Jason Gilchrist was again among the goals as he found the target at the start and finish of the first half to help earn Southport a second pre-season win in five days.







Having also struck in the victory at Widnes on Friday, last season’s leading marksman gave another demonstration of his goalscoring instincts in a comfortable win for the Sandgrounders against Witton Albion.

Gilchrist got the scoring underway after only 20 seconds before extending the visitors’ lead shortly before half-time.

As the final friendly against lower division opposition before his players take on three higher-ranked teams in the lead-up to the new season, manager Liam Watson fielded the same team for the majority of the evening and gave full games to four players.

Josh Langley, the former AFC Fylde captain whose signing was confirmed at the weekend, played alongside Ryan Astles in the centre of the defence, with Billy Priestley at left back.

No sooner had the game started than Watson’s side were ahead, Gilchrist displaying his usual poise to take the ball around Witton goalkeeper Greg Hall.

A left-wing cross from Bradley Bauress was headed over by Mike Phenix as the Sandgrounders continued to control the play, before Gilchrist added his second before the interval, sending a shot from 40 yards into an unguarded goal with Hall out of his net.

Witton, from the Evo-Stik Premier and managed by former Southport defender Carl MacAuley, saw more of the play at the start of the second period but were unable to trouble the visiting defence.

Jack Sampson was one of seven changes made by Southport as the game went on and he made it onto the scoresheet on 71 minutes, converting a pass from Bauress as he stretched in at the far post.

Southport’s next friendly is at home to Vanarama National League side Barrow on Saturday at the Merseyrail Community Stadium at 3pm.



Southport: Dan Hanford, Trialist, Josh Langley (Billy Whittle 74), Ryan Astles (Trialist 74), Billy Priestley, Nathan Lowe (Jordan Richards 74), Elliot Osborne (Lewis Doyle 74), David Lynch (Devarn Green 65), Bradley Bauress, Mike Phenix (Jack Sampson 65), Jason Gilchrist (Dan Cockerline 74).

Report by Alan Jones